When it comes to game libraries that appeal to collectors, the SNES is one that's been somewhat overlooked. It's odd, given the vast, diverse lineup of hundreds of games this charming 16-bit machine features. There's also got the relative durability of the game carts that lend themselves to preservation.

There are several titles by both Nintendo and third parties that had been produced in large numbers thanks to strong sales. But there are also a surprising amount of limited, unpopular, or otherwise obscure games whose scarcity is a draw for collectors.

RELATED: The Rarest NES Games Ever (And Why They're So Rare)

This list will comb the unique, vast library of this beloved retro console and cover its rarest games. It'll also cover the conditions and events leading to their scarcity and value.

Updated January 5th, 2023 by Stephen LaGioia: Considered by many to be the "Glory Days of Gaming," the 16-bit era has often become the go-go when it comes to its pixel-art sprites and swift, action-focused gameplay. Then there's the advent of some modern JRPGs which harken back to 16-bit classics, such as Chained Echoes, Octopath Traveler, and Harvestalla.

Even Dragon Quest 11 has a release with a 16-bit visual mode. This has fed into the popularity of collecting rare SNES games for many. This, coupled with its age, has made SNES a popular option for retro game enthusiasts and collectors. So we thought we'd revisit this list.

18 Space Invaders

Space Invaders SNES firing at enemy alien waves
  • Loose (game only): $10
  • CIB (complete in box): $25

This is a case of a classic, renowned title lost in the shuffle on the console's library with its highly limited release. The result is one of the rarest SNES games (though this hasn't translated as much to a high value given this sci-fi shooter's prominence). One could imagine the lack of demand for this one, being a game that dated back to 1978. It would have been rather old even for Super Nintendo's time.

It also didn't help that this game only ever saw the light of day within the fairly isolated Australia. To top this off, there was also a Game Boy version of Space Invaders, which proved a better fit for the portable-friendly nature of its fast-paced, undiluted gameplay.

17 X Zone

X Zone SNES split image of desert map and box art logo
  • Loose: $16
  • CIB: $42

Given that X Zone utilized the not-too-popular Super Scope, and launched in the limited PAL market of Scandinavia, it's clear why this scrolling lightgun shooter is one of SNES' rarest games. X Zone can be found on the Swedish online retailer known as Tradera, where a boxed copy of the PAL version can be fetched for over $1,500.

Between the game's limited release in Scandinavia, the need for the Super Scope to get the most out of it, and its lack of appeal compared to similar shooters, this was somewhat doomed to obscurity.

16 Cool World

SNES Cool World walking down bizzare city street at night
  • Loose: $15
  • CIB: $84

For as obscure as this cartoon was — which featured a femme fatale crossing into the real world — try an SNES action game based on this movie. As one might expect, the results weren't exactly astounding for an audience used to playing the more kid-friendly Mario software. Much like the film, the quality and risque content of Cool World was "questionable" at best.

There's also the fact that this title was released for NES too, cutting into potential sales of this version. There's also the factor of the PAL release which was mostly limited to Spain.

15 Chrono Trigger

Chrono Trigger Walking Between Festive Tents
  • Loose: $222
  • CIB: $567

While one of the more popular RPGs on the console, this fantastical gem from Square Enix (then Squaresoft) has grown increasingly hard to come by, thanks to its top-tier status which only seems to be solidifying. The time-traveling journey, memorable narrative, lush visuals, and wondrous locales still grip gamers to this day.

Chrono Trigger's popularity continues following its rerelease on Nintendo DS, Wii Virtual Console, PlayStation Network, and others. Its original cart, however, remains coveted and elusive, with new-in-box copies potentially netting well over a grand.

14 Mega Man X3

Mega Man X 3 SNES boss stage selection screen
  • Loose: $307
  • CIB: $1,370

It may seem surprising that one of the biggest, most iconic 90s action shooters landed as one of the SNES' rarest titles. But given the circumstances behind this one, it does make more sense. On the one hand, sales were somewhat tough to come by given the sheer quantity of Mega Man games on the SNES' strong library, creating a competitive landscape.

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But more significant was a rare graphics chip that enhanced the visuals compared to most on the 16-bit machine, called the Cx4. This was a pricey piece of tech that was hard to come by, thus leading to the highly limited number of carts being produced.

13 Final Fight Guy

Final Fight Guy SNES startup screen Guy looking at two sitting foes
  • Loose: $326
  • CIB: $1,655

The Final Fight series is certainly well-represented on SNES, offering fun and gritty sidescrolling brawling. But unlike the prominent mainline games — this refined, slightly modified version of the original was limited in physical form. The reason for this is that the English version of this software was only accessible by rental from the now (mostly) defunct Blockbuster chains.

Collectors had to be lucky enough to have the foresight to buy one of these rare carts from the store, unless one happened to be a former employee and could snag a copy that way.

12 Pocky And Rocky 2

Pocky and Rocky 2 fighters in the woods near temple entrance
  • Loose: $440
  • CIB: $1,434

Despite launching in North America and PAL regions months after its Japanese release — and its rave reviews — this Natsume shoot 'em up remained obscure. Perhaps it was its unique themes, which stress Eastern elements and a generally random vibe. After all, Pocky's main attack does take the form of tossing ofuda talismans at enemies.

Taking its sidescrolling predecessor's formula and (literally) turning it on its head, Pocky And Rocky 2 plays like an overhead shooter despite looking more like an action platformer. The few that did manage to pick this up could also enjoy chaotic two-player co-op.

11 Castlevania: Dracula X

Castlevania Rondo of Blood Dracula X Super Nintendo Cover with Richter
  • Loose: $320
  • CIB: $612

Castlevania fans were delighted to learn this once Japanese-exclusive would find its way to the PSP as well as the Wii Virtual Console over a decade after its 1995 release. Appart from being highly exclusive (in its physical format) though, the game also came out at the end of SNES' lifespan. It would soon be overshadowed by the N64 and PlayStation.

RELATED: Castlevania: Every Main Protagonist In The Series, Ranked

It's a shame, given the quality of the gameplay, which featured Richter Belmont fighting his way through nine Gothic locales. Along the way, Richter will slay a slew of dark enemies, exploring alternative paths and rescuing maidens along the way — one of whom becomes a fun playable character in her own right.

10 Hurricanes

Hurricanes SNES gameplay in sidescrolling cave entrance, teens with soccer ball
  • Loose: $151
  • CIB: $914

Based on an obscure US and UK animated co-production, Hurricanes features talented players of a soccer team in the World Soccer League, who are targetted by dirty players that make up the "Garkos Gorgons." The duplicitous Stavros Garkos goes out of his way to ensure the players don't make it to their important game — cue the mash-up of platforming levels and random baddies.

While it manages to be a fun, amusing side-scroller in its own right, the subject matter is rather unique and odd. The motifs are all over the map, as the game features very human players traversing fantastical, pre-historic environments. Between this, the SNES swan-song release date, and the genre being saturated by this point — it's no wonder Hurricanes never quite took off.

9 Hagane - The Final Conflict

Hagane the Final Conflic SNES dark city street post cybog ninja fighting
  • Loose: $1,037
  • CIB: $2,820

This obscure action romp is often considered a cult classic for those who noticed it, thanks to its solid mechanics and fun themes that blend traditional Japanese themes and sci-fi robotics.

But CAProduction's game garnered a rather "meh" reception for its average visuals and typical gameplay, which had been done to death in the 16-bit era by the time it released in late '94. Its sidescrolling nature and basic pixel art seemed a tad dated in an era in which the industry was sprinting toward 3D graphics.

8 Aero Fighters

Aero Fighters SNES fighting large enemy ship in dessert
  • Loose: $1,005
  • CIB: $3,050

Although this aerial shooter was fairly well-known and renowned elsewhere, the SNES port was a far different story. Being a "paint-by-numbers" port amidst a sea of great Super Nintendo games, Aero Fighters largely flew under the radar for most, leading to the brief and limited printing of these carts.

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This scarcity has made this a top target for SNES collectors, who have shelled out over a cool grand to get their hands on a copy. That price gets quite a bit steeper for an even rarer boxed copy.

7 Rendering Ranger R2

Rendering Ranger R2 SNES firing at flaming enemy ship
  • Loose: $410
  • CIB: $2,151

The adrenaline-fueled gameplay of this R-Type-esque shooter would seem appealing enough to garner success. Yet, Rainbow Art's romp was mostly doomed to obscurity from launch — being a Japan-only game with just 10,000 copies in circulation. Western publishers opted out, leaving its release in the hands of a Japanese branch of Virgin Interactive.

Originally called Targa and conceptualized with hand-drawn graphics, Rendering Ranger's distinct traits gave way to more typical pre-rendered graphics after Donkey Kong Country's success. This helped ensure the post-apocalyptic space shooter remained a blip on the radar.

6 MACS Multipurpose Arcade Combat Simulator 1500

Using rifle controller shooting at TV screen in MACS SNES shooter Simulator 1500
via: https://blog.pricecharting.com/2017/07/multi-purpose-arcade-combat-simulator.html
  • Loose: $1,910
  • CIB: $3,575

True to its title, this shooter is far more simulation than an actual game. It was, in fact, developed specifically for the US Army as a cost-effective means to train and refine soldiers' shooting skills. A rifle attachment would be hooked up to the console and used as the input device; like a bulkier, more realistic version of the NES' Zapper.

RELATED: Most Underrated SNES Games Of All Time

Ambiguous grey figures would crop up within mostly bare, basic 16-bit locales; a number of which had to be hit in the allotted time. Though not too exciting or sophisticated from a gameplay or technological standpoint, it was enough to help hone one's basic aiming skills. Though a couple of variants exist, only a couple thousand of these are out there in total, being highly specialized programs.

5 Exertainment Mountain Bike Rally/Speed Racer

Exertainment Mountain Bike Rally and Speed Racer continue screen on race track
  • Loose: $1,294
  • CIB: N/A

Here's a peculiar one — a multi-game cart featuring a mountain bike driving sim and a Speed Racer game; both of which were purposed for an exercise bike. This bike, the Life Cycle 9XS, actually came with a built-in screen that would load up these games and (poorly) act as an "immersive" 16-bit simulation of one's ride.

Considering these games were meant to be sold with this bike, rather than individual software, the cart that houses them has become one of the rarest on SNES.

4 Donkey Kong Country Competition Cartridge

DKC Competition Cart SNES
  • Loose: $1,950
  • CIB: $4,564

Sure, Rare's beloved SNES platformer Donkey Kong Country may be one of the most successful games to blast onto the console. But actually, there was a far "rarer" specialized version meant for a limited-time event; the Nintendo PowerFest '94.

The game is largely unchanged minus trimmed-down content — featuring some random timed stages that stress the gathering of points conveyed via on-screen point counter. As it was just manufactured for this Nintendo-sponsored contest and never meant for a full release, it's highly scarce. Only a meager 2,500 copies of this contest cart can be found in the wild.

3 Star Fox Super Weekend Cartridge/Starwing Competition

Star Fox Starwing Competition exclusive time space stage and cart split image
  • Loose: $2,746
  • CIB: N/A

A specialized game cart customized for a one-off event is almost sure to be quite rare, and this alteration of Star Fox is no different. Nintendo clearly wasn't shy about holding competitions for their games in the early 90s. This continued in '93, with "Starwing Competitions" taking place in various Western game stores to promote the release of this space shooter. There are reportedly around 2,000 copies of this competition cart in existence.

RELATED: Star Fox: Things You Never Knew About Rare's Canceled Dinosaur Planet

While the manual and labels vary from the official release, the gameplay is largely the same — aside from a four-minute timer and a shortened, redesigned version of the first two stages, wrought with more foes. A third stage in space is reportedly exclusively designed for this cart, and loops indefinitely until time runs out. Players would have to soar and blast their way through the areas as quickly as possible, as the goal was to wrack up the highest score in this allotted time.

2 Nintendo Campus Challenge 1992

Nintendo Campus Challenge 1992 game select screen from video camera
  • Loose: $4,000
  • CIB: $25

Much like the famed 1990 Nintendo World Championships, which hosted a number of challenge segments of some NES games, Nintendo held a similar contest that toured college campuses in '92. The game featured situational challenges from some big names in the early days of the SNES at the time, Super Mario World, F-Zero, and Pilotwings.

If 2,500 carts seemed like slim pickings, try only three! These larger, abnormal cartridges were supposed to be taken apart and disposed of. Yet, much like the Jedi during the grim event of Order 66, at least a few survivors managed to slip by untarnished.

1 Nintendo Powerfest 1994

Nintendo Powerfest 94 back of cart with Super Mario All-stars, Super Mario Kart, Ken Griffey Baseball
  • Loose: $17,550
  • CIB: N/A

Apparently, Nintendo was busy with competitions showcasing their software in the early 90s. Coming off the heels of the '91-'92 event came the more obscure PowerFest of '94. The company, along with retail stores, set up trailers right outside various department stores.

There, gamers would file in to test their skills at six-minute trials from Super Mario Bros: The Lost Levels, Super Mario Kart, and Ken Griffey Jr. Presents Major League Baseball. As it happens, there are only two known surviving copies of this holy grail in the wild. Just about all of the specialized carts were delivered back to the company and destroyed.

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